Koi Classes

• Kohaku - A non-metallic white-bodied Koi with a red pattern on its back. To many it is the most highly prized of the Koi varieties.

• Sanke - A non-metallic fish with a double colour pattern (red and black) on a white base. The black (sumi) should be in small "patches" along the back.

• Showa - Often confused with a Sanke, but this is a non-metallic Koi with red (hi) and white markings on a black base.

• Utsurimono - A two colour Koi, the base colour being black. The second colour can be white (shiro), red (hi) or yellow (ki).

• Bekko - Koi with a black pattern on a white, red or yellow base.

• Asagi and Shusui - Asagi is one of the oldest recorded forms of Nishikigoi. It has a blue back and red flanks below the lateral line and red on the cheeks below the eyes. The blue scales are edged with white to give the appearance of a net. Shusui is a scaleless version of the Asagi. There are several subvarieties of both the Asagi and Shusui.

• Koromo - (literally "robed"). A class made up of Kohaku, Sanke or Showa with a blackish or bluish overlay on the red pattern.

• Kawarimono - The last of the non-metallic classes contains varieties of Koi that do not fall into any of the above groups, such as Goshiki (five colours), Chagoi, Hajiro and Midorigoi.

• Hikarimuji - One colour metallic Koi (Ogon). Traditionally gold, but there are several colour variations including Yamabuki (yellow).

• Hikarimoyo - Metallic Koi with two or more colours. The class includes Kujaku, Hariwake and Yamatonishiki.

• Hikariutsuri - Class for metallic Showa and Utsuri varieties, such as Kin Showa and Kin Ki Utsuri.

• Kin Gin Rin - Kohaku, Sanke and Showa with highly reflective, rather than metallic, gold and/or silver scales. Other varieties usually fall into their own class.

• Tancho - Kohaku, Sanke and Showa with a well placed, single, circular red spot on the head.

 

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